title: A randomized trial comparing the VIPON tampon and ibuprofen for dysmenorrhea pain relief.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a device designed to deliver high-frequency vibratory stimulation through direct intravaginal tampon application (VIPON) compared with a low-dose over-the-counter pharmacologic treatment of dysmenorrhea.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, open-label, prospective study comparing the investigational device to an oral self-administration of the over-the-counter dose of 200-400 mg of ibuprofen with the onset of menstrual discomfort was conducted at two academic medical centers in the Midwest region of the United States. Women age 18 and older with self-reported dysmenorrhea were treated with either VIPON or a single dose of 200-400 mg of ibuprofen, randomized for each of the next four menstrual cycles, and pain reduction from baseline was measured according to the Melzack-McGill pain scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, both ibuprofen and VIPON have significant effects on pain reduction according to the Melzack-McGill pain scale. However, the VIPON group achieved statistically significant greater, and more rapid, pain relief at every time point when compared with the ibuprofen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VIPON tampon is a viable, nonpharmacologic option to traditional low-dose over-the-counter pharmacologic therapies for menstrual pain management with more rapid onset of action.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, USA. wittj@umkc.edu
authors.forename: Jacki
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Witt
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strickland
authors.forename: An-Lin
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Calkins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D007052:Ibuprofen